I Can't Make This Up - Kevin Hart

We generally begin our reviews with a note from the Reviewer. However, with this book, the note was extensive, and thus we decided to include it in the article.

Book Review/Summary:

My first memories of Kevin Hart are from the roast of Justin Bieber. I remember seeing it and going, who’s that guy. He’s hilarious. And from then on, I started following Kevin. His movies, his stage shows, he has a presence that no one else can replicate. So when it was announced that he is writing a book, I knew it would be funny. However, along with being funny, it will have so many life lessons, was something I never expected.

Kevin Hart has poured his heart out in this book. From his worst days to his best ones, he’s shared everything. This book is not only hilarious but gives some of the best life lessons. While reading this book, I went on a roller coaster ride reading the things Kevin has done and what all he has seen. Kevin Hart is hands down one of the funniest people on the planet, and he has shown that in this book as well. Just take a look at the book’s chapter names once. You’ll die laughing reading them, I did. He has taken that much effort to make us laugh while sharing all the life lessons he’s learned.

After reading this book, I genuinely feel, we don’t give Kevin the credit he deserves. Most of the people think he became an overnight star, but Kevin’s written a very beautiful line related to this in his book. He says, “I was an overnight success that was only sixteen years in the making.” And his story is one I feel should really be told.

When Kevin Hart was born, his parents might’ve said “oops.” Kevin knew he was “a mistake,” and that nobody was happy. Still, his parents stayed together awhile – long enough for him to note his father’s unusual parenting style and his mother’s strength in raising two sons, mostly alone.

Kevin’s father was a drug addict, was in and out of jail several times. Kevin shares details about how his father stole dogs, bicycles, and various other stuff for him, pretending that he had brought it and not stolen it. However, sooner or later, his father would be caught. Kevin’s big brother ended up selling drugs on the streets. And thus, to protect Kevin from being on the streets, his mother enrolled him in all kinds of activities to keep him busy. Kevin took regular swimming lessons, and his dream was to play in the NBA. It’s as he says,” It had never occurred to me that when I stopped growing during school, and everyone else kept growing; my basketball career was no longer on a growth trajectory either. My totally impractical and pretty vague but only plan for my life, went up in smoke that day.”

However, Kevin Hart didn’t quit. After high school, he took up a job in a sneaker store. He worked hard and became one of the best salesmen the store had. He became so comfortable over there that occasionally for fun, he would slide in cuss words in the conversations he had with his customers. This made his co-workers laugh, and seeing this funny side of his, they were the ones who suggested he should try performing.

Kevin started performing at the local club with the stage name ‘Lil' Kev the Bastard’ and eventually became a big success over there. From there he was introduced to Keith Robinson. Keith Robinson became Kevin’s mentor, teaching his the intricacies of comedy and stage shows. Kevin constantly traveled with Keith from Philadelphia to New York, initially waiting around as Keith performed and then noticing and learning what Keith was trying to teach him. From there on, the brand of Kevin Hart began to grow.

Stage shows, Comedy Club performances, canceled TV shows, flopped Movies, and a failed marriage, all have contributed to the success, and the personality which Kevin Hart posses today. This truly is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. And I believe everyone should give it a read. However, your mood might be, this book will for sure make you laugh while teaching you how to deal with tough times. So do check it out.

Happy Reading.